Deception in the Truth

by A. B. Medley

  I don’t quite recognize myself, pretty face with storm clouds gathering in my eyes, the hint of dark circles beneath. Makeup can only hide so much. I check my phone again. Still nothing from Lucy. Concern is now an understatement. I’m just about to call again when I get a text from her.

  Lucy: I’ll see you tonight.

  I let out a breath. I can always count on Lucy. She’ll get me through this night. Then, I hope I can help her with whatever it is that’s worrying her. If she’ll let me.

  I meet Mom at Paris Hall. The large room is lit with three crystal chandeliers. There are mirrors on the walls, floor to ceiling. The ceiling and walls have intricate molding, and the cherry hardwood floors gleam. The ambience is set to reflect a formal ball.

  Mom looks beautiful in a royal blue dress that sparkles as she moves. Her hair is in an elegant updo, and she has long silver earrings on. Her eyes sparkle with pride. “Sweetie, what do you think? We finally made it! No more secrets after tonight, right? I think it looks wonderful.”

  She walks over to me and hugs me, then steps back and takes my hands. She looks me over. “You’re so beautiful, Ivie.”

  I warm under her compliment. “Thanks, Mom, this place looks amazing. You did it. Dad will love it, and you are so beautiful, too. Dad will melt when he sees you.”

  She smiles at me brightly. “I couldn’t have done it without your help. Now, I’m going to go get your dad at his office and take his tux to him. Wish me luck! Hopefully, he won’t ask too many questions before we get here.” She winks at me and turns on her heel to leave.

  I already see security here. Caterers are here, finishing their setup, getting trays ready to take through the room and serve as the guests will be dancing and mingling. The band is ready to go, dressed in tuxedos as well. Their lead singer is a woman with a beautiful silver dress on, blonde hair classically curled around her face as if she is from the 1920s era.

  I wonder if Sterling will still come. But then I remind myself he’ll be here whether he wants to be or not; he’s working tonight to see if he can find any more clues as to who’s stalking us. Searching for an end to this madness.

  I search the room of the guests that have already arrived. Dean comes in, his mom not too far behind him. He sees me and smiles. I give him a small smile and wave. I haven’t seen him since I told him the truth about me and Sterling at the outlook.

  He walks over with Mrs. Warren in tow. She hugs me. “Ivie, my dear, it’s been too long. Look at you, all grown up. Such a beauty, isn’t she, Dean?” She beams at me.

  Dean smiles and mouths sorry behind her. I return her smile. “Thank you, Mrs. Warren. Where’s Mr. Warren?”

  “Oh dear, he’ll be here a little late, but he’s coming. Don’t you worry.” She looks over my shoulder and spots someone she must want to talk to. “I’ll leave you two to talk. I need to speak to someone over there. Excuse me.”

  I laugh and so does Dean. He kisses me on the cheek and moves back again. “She’s right, you know. You’re always beautiful, but sorry about that, with Mom, I mean. She gets a little excited. I told her we’re just friends.”

  I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. I wasn’t sure how Dean would react after our talk.

  “I hope you’ll still be my friend. I mean, I won’t try to get in the way of you and Sterling. This is me, bowing out gracefully.” He smiles stoically.

  I step forward to hug him. “Thank you, Dean, and yes, I’ll always want to be your friend. Thank you for understanding. I hope that means you’re still going to be Sterling’s friend too. I don’t want to be the reason you aren’t.”

  He pulls out of the hug, and I can see a hint of sadness. He still has his hands on my arms. “I’m not sure how it’ll affect us, but he’s always been my best friend. I’m not going to walk away from him. We’ll work through our differences, I’m sure.”

  I step back and feel someone’s eyes on me. I look through the crowd and see Sterling looking right at me with an unreadable expression.

  Fear drips into my heart. He saw me hugging Dean, this time with his own eyes. Damn it all, our timings always bad. How can I explain that this was a friends only conversation? Will he even let me explain it, or has he now decided I’m a cheating little liar? Are we still an us, or has he already decided he’s done with me because of the stalker sending him those pictures?

  “Uh, excuse me, Dean. I need to…” Dean looks over his shoulder and sees Sterling.

  “It’s okay. Go talk to him. We’ll figure out our stuff, don’t worry.” He smiles and lets me step around him.

  I start in Sterling’s direction. He looks so good in his tux. His eyes bore into me, and I still can’t begin to guess what he’s thinking. He hasn’t made a move toward me, but his eyes stay trained on me.

  My phone vibrates in my clutch, and I stop for a second, looking down for it. The moment I look back up, Sterling is nowhere to be seen. My chest aches with disappointment.

  I pull out my phone and check the message, thinking it might be Lucy.

  Unknown number: Are you ready for all the surprises tonight?

  I look up from my phone and scan the crowd. I don’t see anyone that looks malicious. No one’s looking at their phone. I look back at my phone. Mom and Dad will be here any minute.

  I continue to move through the crowd toward the door. I finally spot Sterling. Jade’s already found him and puts her hand on his arm as she laughs.

  All I see is red. I don’t know whether I want to cry or scream. Jake Boyd catches my arm before I can make a move.

  “Ivie, I hope everything’s okay with that emergency you had, and I hope you’re deciding to stay and work for me.” He flashes his brilliant smile. He’s always been a good guy. He married a girl named Zoey who was a few years younger than us in school. If I remember right, they’re expecting their first baby.

  “I’m fine now. Everything’s fine,” I lie.

  As if he can sense that I’m lying, he narrows his eyes at me but still holds his smile, as if he’s searching my face for the truth. “Good. Your mom said she wants us by the door when they come in, and they should be here any second. I have the microphone ready to announce him when he gets here.”

  I nod. “I’m going to go ahead and get everyone ready. And Jake—” He stops and waits for me to speak. “I think I’ve decided to stay and work for you.” I smile briefly. His eyes warm and he returns my smile, “That’s so great, Ivie. You won’t regret it.”

  I sneak a peek where Sterling was and see him still there while Jake is giving everyone instructions on where to gather. I haven’t told him about talking with Jake about a job, at least not seriously, much less that I intended to stay and take it. And of course, Jade’s still right beside him. She puts her arm through his and smirks at me. I turn away before I get sick. I can feel my stomach twisting, and it’s not just from the pregnancy.

  Unknown number: Surprise number one- it looks like Sterling is done with you.

  I look up from my phone with tears in my eyes and look back at Sterling. He’s still there looking at me, and thankfully, this time Jade’s talking to her dad, Harlan, and not touching Sterling, even though she’s still standing beside him. A tear falls and I swipe it away and turn just in time to yell surprise with everyone as Mom and Dad come in the door.

  Jade is like glitter. Shiny and pretty to look at, but once you touch it, it gets everywhere, and it’s hard to get rid of. You think you have, then you find more. Jade’s a pretty woman, but for the love of all that is holy, I have no interest in this woman and she doesn’t take the hint. She’s going to keep pushing and make me flat-out be an asshole, which I try not to be.

  I see Briella from across the room. She’s talking to Dean and staring daggers at me when Jade touches my arm. What’s that look for? She knows I don’t like Jade. I roll my eyes at her, so she knows she’s being absurd.

  I look back to where Ivie’s standing near the door with Jake. She looks at her phone and then at me. He
r eyes are glistening, and I see a tear slide down her gorgeous face which she hurriedly swipes away and turns toward the door. My insides twist at the thought of her crying. She must’ve gotten another text.

  When I first got here, I wanted to find her and let her know we need to talk, but not tonight. The first thing I saw was her with Dean. I couldn’t make myself move or speak until she headed toward me. Then thankfully, she got distracted, and I was able to move before she reached me. I didn’t know what I was going to say—still don’t. My blood boils seeing her with another man, especially my best friend and all their history.

  I make my way to her as the band starts to play and servers begin circulating with the food and champagne flutes. I need to see what that tear was about. My gut tells me it was another text from our dear friend, the stalker.

  I catch up to her just as she’s about to head toward the bathroom. I grab her arm. “Ivie, did you just get another text?”

  She flinches without turning to look at me. “I did.”

  “What did it say?”

  She looks over her shoulder at me. “Nothing I wouldn’t have already guessed.”

  She starts to take off again, and I pull her to me so that her back is against my front. I close my eyes and breathe in the light fruity scent of her hair. “Don’t do that, Ivie. It’s my job to protect you. I need to know what’s going on,” I speak lowly in her ear.

  She suddenly spins on me. “That’s right. I’m just your job now. When I get a text that tells me something I don’t already know, I’ll tell you about it. If you’ll excuse me.”

  She stalks into the bathroom. How can she really think she’s just a job to me? I’m planting myself right here so I can talk to her when she comes out of that bathroom.

  I make it to the bathroom and step in front of the mirror. I swallow a few times and close my eyes, breathing deeply to keep from throwing up. When the wave passes, I freshen up my makeup, and just as I finish, Jade walks in.

  She smirks at me again, eyeing me up and down. “Ivie, don’t you look stunning?”

  “What do you want, Jade? I don’t have time for your theatrics right now.” I glare at her in the mirror.

  “Nothing at all, just wondering if you noticed Sterling tonight. I told you I’d make him mine, and I’m well on my way to doing just that. Do you think he’d want you when you don’t even live here anymore? He won’t just pick up his life and leave with you. His life is here. Dean’s back, too. This is just too much fun.” She has the audacity to laugh.

  “Just leave me the hell alone, Jade. You don’t know a damn thing about my life,” I snap.

  “I guess I should thank you for always messing up, because that lets me move in to fix things.” She’s touching up her lipstick and turns to face me with a wicked grin.

  I start to leave, and Lynn walks in. They smile at each other as if they are long-lost friends. Lynn’s eyes land on me and she narrows them, lips pinching tight.

  I take my chance and step out into the small hallway that leads to the bathrooms. My phone dings again. I pull it out and look at the display. A message from Lucy.

  Lucy: Come find me.

  I squint at the message. That was odd, but okay. I start to leave the hallway and re-enter the ballroom when I almost flatten Sterling. I grab my chest and try to catch my breath from being startled.

  “Excuse me, I need to find Lucy,” I say, peering into the crowd. The music from the band starts and guests are invited onto the dance floor. Sterling holds his hand out to me, waiting expectantly. My heart screams at me to take it, while my head tells me to walk on by. I start to, and he spins me around.

  “Ivie, we need to talk. Dance with me, and maybe we can get a few things straight. I know it’s going to take a lot more than a few minutes, but I refuse to let you believe you’re just my job.”

  I suck in a quick breath at the contact with him and his words. He pulls me onto the dance floor with him and wraps his arm around me. He starts to lead the dance. “Who knew you were such a good dancer?” I say a little breathlessly.

  “Baby girl, there’s a lot you still don’t know.” He winks at me. I start to relax in his arms as he twirls me around the floor, my cheek resting on his. For a moment I forget all the things trying to tear us apart and the new secret I’m keeping from him. As soon as the baby enters my thoughts, I stiffen, and he feels it. “Where’d you go just now?”

  I try to recover my composure. “It’s nothing, just thinking.” The skin on my neck prickles, and I turn to see Jade and Lynn staring daggers through me. What is this? They both want Sterling now? What’s their move here? I glare right back. They don’t begin to understand the tip of the iceberg here. I don’t have time for their petty jealousy and games.

  “Just thinking what? Tell me.” He tips my chin to look up at him. His face etched in concern. I start to open my mouth and feel my phone again. I pull away and check it.

  Unknown number: You need to leave Sterling alone, or I’ll take care of him like I did the baby. I need your focus.

  I drop my phone like it scorched me. I quickly bend down to get it before Sterling can see it. “What the hell was that, Ivie?” His lips press into a thin line.

  “Nothing. I can’t do this.” I walk away from him as fast as I can without running. I spot Mom, and she must see the concern on my face because hers mirrors what I imagine mine looks like. Then Dad spots me too.

  I close the distance to them and shoot a quick glance over my shoulder to see Briella on my heels. I stop. “What’s going on, Ivie? I know something’s wrong, so don’t lie.”

  I pull her to the side, and she stares at me impatiently waiting for me to speak. “Okay, something’s very wrong tonight. I can feel it in my bones. I don’t know what, but I have a bad feeling. Something is going to happen.” I’m nearly begging her to believe me.

  She looks up, searching the crowd. “You need to tell Sterling.” I circle my fingers around her arm as she starts to sidestep me in search of him. “No! I can’t.”

  “What the hell do you mean you can’t?”

  “I just got a message telling me to leave Sterling alone or he’d get hurt like our baby.” Saying the words out loud rips my heart open and I feel tears building. “I can’t let him or anyone else get hurt again because of me. Do you understand? I can’t tell him, and you won’t either!”

  “Ivie, don’t make me do this. He needs to know. You can’t fight this alone.”

  “I know, but let me just try to figure out what’s going on.” I scan the crowd again. “Have you seen Lucy? She told me to find her, but I haven’t seen her yet.”

  “No, I haven’t, but I’ll keep an eye for her. Ivie, don’t do something stupid, please.” She looks at me with doubt.

  I nod. “I need to go see my parents.” She grips my hands and gives a little squeeze.

  “You’re not alone, Ivie, in more ways than one.” Her gaze flicks to my stomach and back up.

  “I know. I have to end this madness and keep everyone safe. I refuse to let anything happen to my baby…or anyone else.”

  I give her a quick hug and head toward my parents. Jake Boyd takes the stage and starts talking about dad’s accomplishments and contributions to the community. As he’s talking, the crowd erupts in laughter and clapping. I put on my best smile.

  I reach them and Dad gives me a look. He’s smiling, but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. He’s worried. Jake finishes his speech and is about to turn it back over to the band. I get another message.

  Unknown number: I took something of yours. I think we should talk. Meet me at the old hospital if you want it back in one piece. And come alone.

  I get another text with a picture. It’s of Lucy, tied up, with a gag in her mouth. She has blood on her face that looks like it’s coming from her hairline. Her eye is black and swollen. She has tears streaming down her face. My heart drops into my stomach.

  As I’m about to run out, I see Sterling making his way to me. Then suddenly a screec
hing sound rips through the room. A pre-recorded, simulated voice comes through the speakers.

  Judge Rhett Davis has a secret he’s been keeping for many, many years. He has—

  I search the room and see my dad, red-faced, with a plug in his hand. He unplugged the sound system. Sterling has stopped to look at him, and as much as I want to know what this supposed secret is, I’ll have to find out later. I need to get to Lucy.

  I take my chance during the chaos and slip out into the night. I hear Jake’s voice trail off the further I get from Paris Hall. I’m sure they’re smoothing out whatever bullshit that was. I’m almost to my car when I hear footsteps slapping the pavement toward me. I get in my Jeep without looking and lock the doors. I look up and see Sterling with his hands on my hood.

  I start my Jeep with the flick of my wrist and put it in reverse. I gun it, and he stumbles forward, almost losing his balance with the absence of the hood to lean on. I see Briella run up beside him with her eyebrows slammed together.

  She shouts at me. “No, Ivie, don’t do this!”

  I put it drive and peel out as fast as I can. By the time they get to their vehicles, I’ll be long gone. On the road, I keep checking my rearview. No one’s following. I need to get to Lucy. I grip the steering wheel. I can’t let anything happen to her. She doesn’t deserve to be caught up in this mess.

  It takes about ten minutes to get to the old hospital. It’s about five minutes past the outlook. Rich Family Hospital. It’s a small hospital that Taylor’s family owned; still do, I guess. It shut down many years ago when Greendale Med opened. That gives me pause. Taylor. Would he have something to do with this? I barely knew him. He was Lucy’s boyfriend our senior year. She mentioned they still date off and on. This must be coincidence.

  My phone rings. I read the display. Sterling. I send the call to voicemail and throw my phone in the seat. I park a short piece down the road at a local playground and walk the rest of the way to the old hospital, silently cursing my heels. I take them off and hold them in one hand to make my footsteps lighter. And hey, a heel can be a weapon, right?